Always keep yourself "updated"

[Nate]

Last night I was hanging out with an old friend who I had'nt seen in quite some time. He has been a CCW holder for quite some time, and as we started shooting the {deleted-sabalo} and conversing about SB305 etc etc, he looks at my open carry side arm and says "you better conceal that thing"... I told him my opinion on open carrying and why I prefer it over concealing my primary. He proceeds to tell me "You have to conceal it with a CCW" WhAaAaAaAT?!? The more we started talking about laws and what not the more I realized he had'nt re-read his law book in some time. Point being is its ALL TO EASY to have your rights stripped and become a FELON when your complaicent AND a CCW carrier. PLEASE KEEP YOURSELF UPDATED OFTEN. Clearly if you're here reading things you're probably doing just this. I just wanted to spread the word that laws are always changing and we as gun carrying citizens have a HUGE reponsibility to reamain vigilant on laws and restrictions. Its very easy to land on the wrong side of the law, and no one likes prison.

[carmen fovozzo]

You got that right Nate. Welcome to OFCC...

[soontobedeity]

You're preaching to the choir here. I don't think you'll find a more up-to-date group of firearms owners in the state than those who frequent these forums with any sort of regularity.

[Cruiser]

The best thing we all here can do to keep others up to date is to tell them about this Forum.

[curmudgeon3]

Yep, gotta try to memorize all the gun ORCs to obey and/or enforce the laws.

[JoeM]

...he looks at my open carry side arm and says "you better conceal that thing"... I told him my opinion on open carrying and why I prefer it over concealing my primary. He proceeds to tell me "You have to conceal it with a CCW"

Can you elaborate on that? I'm new to CC but thought I'd done my homework. You can't OC if you have a CCW permit?

[kentman]

Can you elaborate on that? I'm new to CC but thought I'd done my homework. You can't OC if you have a CCW permit?

That's a common misunderstanding. You can absolutely carry open after you get your CHL. Being told you can't is kinda like being told you can no longer ride a bicycle since you now have your drivers license. Makes no sense.

[parbreaker]

This is something that I have wondered about with the "average" CHL holder. There are over 200,000 CHL's in Ohio and I know they all aren't on here and other similar sites staying up to date. I know 4-5 people personally that carry and none of them are on any gun forums. To their benefit though, they always come to me when they have a legal question and I do try to make it a point to let them know when laws change.

Regardless, without some sort of initiative to keep oneself up to date on laws and expectations, one could very easily find themselves a felon.

[xxxamishxxx]

I dont want to get into the OC vs CC debate but I still carry OC most of the time due to my time in law enforcement.. I carried a gun since I was 19 and on duty everyday was in plain site.. its second nature to me... I believe everyone should take the time and read up n the laws every once in a while to keep abreast of any changes.

[JoeM]

I dont want to get into the OC vs CC debate but I still carry OC most of the time due to my time in law enforcement...

Too late

Seriously, though, I tip my hat to those who choose to OC. If our nation looked at 2A the same as 1, OC would be as natural as having a bumper sticker on your car. Sadly, I don't think we'll ever see that day.

[JoeM]

...Regardless, without some sort of initiative to keep oneself up to date on laws and expectations, one could very easily find themselves a felon.

Yep - or missing out on the laws that would be to their benefit! I have a CCW friend in who wasn't aware of the new law about not having to have it holstered & on your person in your car. He was also of the opinion (before I talked to him) that those who OC would face the 'inciting panic' charge.

[Chanlsrfer]

I just recently moved to Ohio (2 months ago) from the People's Republic of New Jersey. I have had non-resident licenses from VA and FL for years now, and I am always careful to keep as up-to-date on the laws as much as I can in all the states I carry in/through.

I am now scheduled for my CHL class (last one was over 3 years ago...do'h!) to get my Ohio CHL.
I have bought and read twice the "Ohio Guide to Firearm Laws" by Ken Hanson.
In order to get another perspective I also ordered and read "The handbook of Ohio Firearms Law" by Sean Culley.

Here is my beef. The book by Ken Hanson has just released a new version to keep up to date with all of the recent changes (class D licenses, parks and fairgrounds, storage/carry in car changes, etc.). It was very complete and well updated.

I bought the latter (Sean Culley) from the OFCC website, and the last time it was updated was 2008. None of the new laws after this copyright are covered.

Why is the OFCC selling an outdated law book? I will still read it over again, but I feel other people should be aware that this is not the most recent law book published, and not knowing the law can put you in all sorts of legal problems.

Just my 2¢.